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09/21/2023 09:01 AMThis year’s initial Pride event, which police estimated attracted more than 2,000 attendees, has been deemed such a success that next year’s event has already been scheduled. Event Chair Sarah Celotto said the inaugural event far surpassed all of the organizer’s expectations.
This year’s event and parade was held May 20 and, despite a rainout on the originally scheduled date, thousands turned out to celebrate Guilford’s commitment to diversity.
“It was literally better than I could’ve ever imagined. The police estimated a couple of thousand people came in and out throughout the course of the day,” said Celotto. “The day it was supposed to be held, it rained the entire day, and when we made the decision to switch it to the Sunday, all of the entertainment were still able to come. We lost a few vendors and a few politicians who had other obligations on that Sunday, but otherwise, it was an absolute perfect day weather-wise, and it was really amazing. We really felt it was a special event for everyone who attended.”
Celotto noted the multi-generational attendance of the crowd and how important that was for many who participated.
“It was such a beautiful day, and it was so great to see how people from across the generations were represented. We had little kids and toddlers and folks all the way into their 80s and 90s, many of whom were all so grateful,” Celotto said. “You could just tell that they had never felt this kind of acceptance and love when they grew up and in their generation. And now they say they felt it here. It was just an incredible day for us all.”
Celotto said that despite Guilford’s progressive reputation and general acceptance of diversity, an event like the Pride parade was something organizers felt was integral in cementing the town’s commitment to the underrepresented members of the community.
“I was asked as to why Guilford had never done anything like this before because it’s been such a liberal, accepting town, but clearly, this was still something that was needed. And just the fact that so many people came out and said, ‘Why haven’t we had something like this before?’ and “It’s about time Guilford did something like this.’ It was something that was needed, particularly in today’s political climate,” said Celotto. “There is just so much negativity out there now regarding the LBGTQ community that I think the kids and the adults need to be reminded of how Guilford is accepting and loving and that there is a place for them.”
Next year’s date has already been set for May of 2024, and Celotto and her team are already well into the work needed to mount another successful parade and event.
“Yes, the date has been set. It’s coming to be May 18 with a rain date of May 19. We are also working on, and we’ve actually just gotten permission, to raise the Pride flag that day and for the entire month of June,” Celotto said. “We also hope to craft a proclamation that would officially recognize that day or that weekend as Guilford’s Pride Day. We are working with First Selectman [Matt] Hoey on that right now. We already have some great ideas for next year and for some changes that we want to do. You always learn from the first one. So, if our second one is even half as good as our first one, then I’ll be thrilled.”
The event is personal for Celotto as one of her children identifies within the LGBTQ+ community. Celotto said that seeing such support and compassion from the town was deeply moving for everyone who participated.
“When I first looked into doing this, I knew it would be welcomed, but I didn’t anticipate that we would have this much publicity about and also to hear from people about how much we needed this,” said Celotto. “I think all of the shoreline towns are beginning to realize how important these events are and how they can bring a community together,” Celotto said. “I’m very grateful to our town. I’m very grateful to our town officials, to our police department, to the residents who attended. They all welcomed it with open arms, and for someone like my child, who is part of the LGBTQ community, this really means a lot. There was a lot of youth here who were thrilled to just be their truly authentic selves and not be judged. To see all those smiles on the faces made it a beautiful day. We are really looking forward to next year.”
First Selectman Matt Hoey said that Guilford is seeking to make Pride Day an annual town-sponsored event.
“We’re thrilled that we are going to have this event again next year, and it’s our anticipation that we are going to make this a yearly event,” said Hoey. “We are looking forward to an even bigger and better event next May. It will certainly be on my calendar, and I look forward to participating.”